The Department of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland was established in 1956 and offers the only fully accredited fire protection engineering undergraduate program and one of three graduate degree programs in the U.S. Through the use of engineering fundamentals, research and fire analysis, the Fire Protection Engineer assesses fire safety challenges wherever they may occur, i.e. in buildings, wildlands, industrial facilities or transportation vehicles. In recent years, the department faculty and students have been involved in a wide array fire-related research including energy storage systems, material flammability, flammable refrigerants, fire detection, use of artificial intelligence for situational awareness, and numerical simulations involving fires and people - this is all in an effort to reduce the loss of life and property to fire by providing the highest quality of scientifically based education, research, and outreach in fire- related safety, health and environmental issues.
What Makes the Profession Unique?
The phenomenon of fire has been intriguing humankind for centuries. The complexity of the relationship between people and fire ranges from the simple to the intricate. Largely, we have utilized fire and been its master; but on occasion throughout history, there were times when fire has dominated our culture, our cities, and our way of life.
Fire knows no bias, wreaking havoc without great preference to race, class, ethnicity, disability, religion or national origin. It sadly strikes one and all - and it is for all of us to control as fire protection engineers.
Fire Protection Engineering, as defined by the National Fire Protection Association is "the science of reducing loss of life and property by fire, including both prevention and fire extinguishment, by public or private means. Also, the degree to which such protection is applied." Through the use of engineering fundamentals, research and fire analysis, the Fire Protection Engineer assesses the problem confronted and formulates a solution which is not only functional but economically feasible and practicable.
Fire Protection Engineers may be involved in numerous tasks, including the design of fire protection systems for high-rise buildings and industrial complexes; analysis of the level of fire protection in commercial or residential buildings, nuclear power plants and aerospace vehicles; and the research of fire propagation, detection and suppression. In each of these cases, the Fire Protection Engineer needs to be competent using state-of-the-art procedures in analysis and design techniques, including computer models for fire prediction. More information about career paths in fire protection engineering are provided on the Society of Fire Protection Engineers website.
Fire protection engineering is a unique, public safety oriented field of study within the engineering discipline.
The Demand for Fire Protection Engineers:
Fire protection engineers are in high demand, with job opportunities available all over the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia), the U.S., and the world! UMD Fire Protection Engineering graduating cohorts consistently achieve 100% job placement at the time of graduation (for those not continuing on with their education in graduate school). Our graduates’ employers include consulting firms, large corporations and government agencies. See the Clark School's Employment Outcomes page to compare fire protection engineering students' job placement rates with other engineering majors.
Visit the Clark School's Salary Information page for the most recent year's data on average salary rates for intern/co-op and entry-level positions.
Where do Fire Protection Engineers Work?
All over the U.S.
And all around the world!
These maps are based on this full list of Employers Who Have Hired UMD Fire Protection Engineering Graduates in recent years. This list is updated annually by Engineering Career Services.
The Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering degree program at the University of Maryland is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
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The Fire Protection Engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. |
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